These kinds of sentences can quickly drive even the calmest parent crazy, especially in the event of traffic jams, extreme heat, limited speed, roadworks on the motorway, in short, all those little external problems that already make life on the roads a nightmare.
Leave with peace of mind, it helps, and staying ZEN as long as possible is even better.
I’ll give you a bunch of advice to avoid tantrums in the car with the children.
Being a parent means being responsible: don’t bring stress, manage it in advance!
Calm parents, smiling and relaxed, that’s already a great start to get off on the right foot.
- Children want to help, accept!
- The children are upset about this departure on vacation, understand!
- Children want to check if their favorite toys are in their suitcase, accept and help them!
And the list can be long.
Accepting their feelings, understanding them, and showing them that you understand them will greatly help them to travel well. Be careful, understanding does not mean accepting everything! Just avoid clashes, manage emergencies and the importance of the situation.
Travel without forgetting anything, make lists
It has happened to me (too) often to get annoyed just by putting the suitcases in the car. Between the children in the way, uncertain weather that makes it quite annoying to prepare everything properly, forgotten bags, and last-minute things that should have been first, it’s super stressful!
It goes without saying, but the first point before putting your suitcases in the car’s trunk is to know what you will take. Depending on the stay, the duration, the destination, the weather, the clothes will be different. If like us, you are going to a gîte, on the day of your destination (a Saturday) you will not have the courage to go shopping, nor the next day. You must therefore plan your meal until Monday.
Here is an example of a list so you don’t forget anything:
- the first aid kit
- urgent baby needs
- children’s leisure activities within reach
- clothes according to the weather
- the car snack
- the first meals on-site
- the order and importance of storing luggage in the car
- etc.
The Blacklist: Things to AVOID
Driving is dangerous. A lot of driving is tiring. It is best to eliminate the causes of accidents and stress. So avoid:
- alcohol,
- medications that are contraindicated for driving, if in doubt ask your doctor for advice,
- drugs of all kinds,
- fatigue,
- excesses of all kinds including speed,
- answer the phone while driving,
- drinking or eating while driving,
- take your eyes off the road,
- stress, shouting, nervousness,
- smoking or looking for cigarettes/lighters while driving (also for children tobacco is prohibited!).
The white list of things NOT to forget
And yes, stress comes with the accumulation of little disturbing and annoying things, so don’t let them happen. So don’t forget:
- the little ones’ pacifiers and comforters (even in double, especially in double lol),
- something to keep the children busy and participate with them (for those who don’t drive),
- the rental confirmation papers (for example), or the keys if you already have them, eh!
- to take breaks on the road,
- to plan for a toll card, it’s not that expensive and you save a lot of time!
- to also take the dog out during stops,
- the car seat adapted to the child and adjusted to his size (and the compulsory seat belts for older children),
- etc.
Another point and this has already happened to me. Did you take the wrong exit? Inevitably the couple’s argument starts, it’s always the other’s fault and the children put 2 cents on the music. The atmosphere becomes shitty and it’s a crisis. However, is it that serious ? There is always a road to take you to your destination, take a deep breath, laugh if necessary at this stupidity, reprogram the GPS, and let’s go!
Food and drink IN the car
For me this is an important point!
Driving is long, a little heatwave on top of that and you’ll have “Mom I’m thirsty” or “Dad I’m hungry” people banging your forehead on the steering wheel.
Ok, you don’t want them to eat in the car? At least have enough water available for them. For snacks, it will be during breaks in rest areas.
At home, we don’t care, the car is always cleaned before leaving and comes back completely dirty… It’s over, we don’t shout anymore. I prefer that they eat their snack in the car instead of waiting for the next rest area 50km further!
Settle downlight
Take off your coat or jacket in the car, even if it’s cold! Eventually, with the heating on, you could get hot and doze off at the wheel, not to mention the babies who might be indisposed.
